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Dig out the picnic basket, get the family together and enjoy some laughs in the great outdoors and of course some sandwiches. The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley has some fantastic picnic spots for you and your family to enjoy this summer, or throughout the year. From forest locations to riverside spots with gorgeous views, and don't forget our farm shops and delis for that all important local produce and many even provide ready made picnic hampers for that extra special treat!
Here are our top five places to have a picnic in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley:
Beechenhurst is the perfect rain or shine picnic location, with plenty of outdoor space to enjoy in the sunshine and indoor space just in case it rains. In the heart of the Forest, the centre is close to the Sculpture Trail and has a play area, cafe, shop and an exciting climbing tower. There are in-situ BBQ facilities.
Cannop Ponds has a large grass area to spread out your picnic blankets and is close to the car park and the ponds. The ponds themselves are picturesque and are home to lots of wildlife including ducks, swans and even dragonflies.
The Kymin with its roundhouse atop a hill - built in the 18th century by the gentry of Monmouth as a banqueting house at this viewpoint overlooking the town. It's still a great place to picnic.
Mallards Pike Lake is one of the best picnic spots in the South West. It consists of man-made lakes and is a popular attraction for walking, cycling and other adventure activities. With hot and cold refreshments from Mallards Cafe, this is a great location for a family picnic too.
Symonds Yat Rock is a Forestry England site and an internationally renowned viewpoint overlooking the River Wye and has many places to explore and to enjoy picnics. Below it are Symonds Yat East and West, two separate villages on either side of the Wye.
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Symonds Yat
Internationally renowned viewpoint with fantastic views over the Wye Valley. A car park, cafe and shop are nearby and there are woodland walks all around including down to Symonds Yat East village.
Tintern
When we talk about British architectural icons, they don’t come much more iconic than Tintern Abbey: a Gothic masterpiece and Romantic symbol of the sublime.
Coleford
Beechenhurst, managed by Forestry England, lies in the heart of the Forest of Dean, and is a great place to start your forest adventure. Trail, play area, picnic spots, Go Ape and cafe.
Soudley
We are the Museum of the Forest: a stunning building and location with inside and outside attractions. Learn about the history of the Forest from the Ice Age to the present day, visit our museum and gallery, explore the Gruffalo woodland trail, see inside a reconstructed Forester's cottage, visit a charcoal burner's camp, see chainsaw carving, our working water wheel and pretty stream, kids will enjoy our woodland playground plus there is an excellent cafe and gift shop.
Chepstow
With over 600 years' history weaved into its walls, that notion of rediscovery is no more evident than at Chepstow Castle. Beautifully preserved and stretching out along a limestone cliff above the River Wye, Chepstow Castle’s beauty is matched only by its historical significance.
Parkend
Beautiful lake in the Forest of Dean, popular for walking, with lots of picnic benches, nearby cycle paths and a cafe and toilets on site.
Coleford
Unique railway with walks through beautiful woodland.
Tickets last all day - enjoy as many train rides as you like!
Indoor Village and exciting Treasure Hunt!
Cafe is available. Picnics welcome.
Llandogo
A stunning section of the Wye Valley Walk high above the River Wye with some of the most impressive views along the Wye Valley. The thundering Cleddon Falls are the biggest in the area and the Duchess Ride Viewpoint is one of the best.
Gloucester
Gloucester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, in Gloucester, stands in the north of the city near the river.
Parkend
Nagshead is an RSPB Nature Reserve, the largest in the Forest of Dean. It is an ideal spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting with woodland walks, ponds and hides. In spring watch for pied flycatchers and buzzards. In winter look for crossbills and hawfinches.
Ross-on-Wye
Standing in scenic countryside above the River Wye, Goodrich Castle is one of the finest and best preserved of all English medieval castles. Boasting a remarkable history and unforgettable views from the battlements, it promises a great day out for all the family.
Grosmont
Grosmont Castle is a ruined castle in the village of Grosmont, Monmouthshire, one of a trio of Monmouthshire fortresses known as the ‘Three Castles’ – which includes White Castle and Skenfrith – built to control the border. The fortification was established by the Normans in the wake of the invasion of England in 1066. It experienced an active life including being besieged in the Glyndŵr Rising rebellion of 1405.
Pretty village on the River Wye, partly in Wales and partly in England with a rich industrial heritage.
Monmouth
When Admiral Lord Nelson visited the site in 1802 he described it as one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen.
Chepstow
Breathtaking views of the Wye Valley and River Severn from the Eagle's Nest at the top of a steep, wooded limestone cliff.
Historic Forest of Dean village with a former royal castle, now a youth hostel. Set high above the Wye Valley there are good views into the Forest, the River Wye below and to Wales in the distance.
Chepstow
Historic path along cliffs overlooking the River Wye popular during the Wye Tour. Part of the Wye Valley Walk north of Chepstow and leading to the Eagle's Nest Viewpoint.
Caldicott
Black Rock is on the Monmouthshire coastline of the Severn Estuary between the two Severn bridges. There is a picnic site and the location gives fantastic panoramic views of the estuary and both bridges. Black Rock is the home of a traditional method of fishing which has been practiced for hundreds of years and and also historic links with much earlier ways of crossing the river.
Highnam
Highnam Woods on the eastern edge of the Forest of Dean is an RSPB nature reserve offering great birdwatching and wildlife spotting opportunities.
Chepstow
Surrounded by cliffs, with views over the River Wye this is a truly magnificent spot. From Wintour's Leap take in a horseshoe bend of the Wye, walk down the cliffs to the historic village of Lancaut, through the Nature Reserve and back up the other side.
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.